Folding wall container

ABSTRACT

Folding wall container having side walls that can be opened, as well as frontal openings for locking devices. The container is provided on one side or both sides with side walls that can be opened and are configured with folding doors. The folding door sections along with their holders can be displaced over the complete length (FIG. 3).

[0001] The invention relates to a folding wall container (exchangeable container) with side walls that can be opened, as well as frontal openings for a locking device.

[0002] Over a period of approximately four decades, the container has proven its extreme importance as freight container. Even though initially designed for ocean transport, the container has meanwhile also reached the other freight routes. As a result of its modular dimensions and the internationally established safety rules, monitored by classification societies, the container has also been adapted structurally to many loading requirements. In addition to the primarily used dry freight container, there are numerous variants such as the bulk container, the open top container, the tank container and the refrigerated container.

[0003] The goal for all models is to simplify (rationalize) the transfer of goods and to incorporate containers into the international transport chain. The newly developed folding-wall container according to the invention represents simply another variant.

[0004] Providing containers and exchangeable containers with side-wall doors is known. Furthermore known is a freight-container design where the side walls can be opened completely, for example a curtain sider (side wall with removable stanchions, rails and tarred canvas) or an open sider with a similar design, but with a lower platform gate.

[0005] However, the embodiments pertain to shorter loading unit, thus excluding the volume transport of large containers.

[0006] The invention is intended to meet the following requirements:

[0007] 1. the loading and unloading of long loading surfaces from the side;

[0008] 2. the comfortable loading and unloading without a ramp;

[0009] 3. the loading and unloading of individual sections;

[0010] 4. the loading of long freight bodies without problem;

[0011] 5. the loading of transport crates from the side;

[0012] 6. the loading of bulky goods.

[0013] The loading by way of the rear wall door is of course still possible, so that the traditional method of ramp loading is not lost. One advantage of the container according to the invention is the protection against theft as compared to the models with removable canvas side walls (curtain sider), as well as the fact that customs goods can be secured.

[0014] The present case relates to a container having the longest possible length and side walls that can be opened almost completely. In the area of the grappler holders, the side walls have stable rails on which the side folding doors are arranged in pairs.

[0015] The rails are positioned on the top and on the bottom on roller carriers. They can be moved together with the opened doors in both directions away from the loading area and can be secured. The rails are fixedly anchored above the grappling edges, so that the forces developing during the transfer are transmitted.

[0016] The doors are provided on the inside with locking bars, which are securely locked in place on the bottom frame and the top frame. A transfer of forces from the bottom to the top region occurs in this case as well. With a maximum container length, the transport on public roads and observing the traffic laws requires that the container be secured inside of the frontal turning range with two twistlocks (horizontal locks). For this purpose, the container is provided with stable twistlock guides on the front.

[0017] The container according to our invention is an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) container with optimum dimensions for the transfer of goods (for use) in international shipping.

[0018] The container is equipped with ISO comer fittings for all comers. Comer fittings are also installed on the 40′ length position because of the excess length. This measure furthermore permits the continued use of the 40′ transfer devices, and the 40′ standard containers can still be stacked at the terminal or on board of a ship.

[0019] The transfer of goods with grappling devices for the European railroad traffic is also ensured as a result of internationally defined gripping edges and their arrangement.

[0020] The solidity of the side doors corresponds to standard side wall panels. Their hinges, seals and locking elements are proven standard products.

[0021] The longitudinal supports for the bottom and roof are shaped in such a way that the rollers for the movable rail unit can glide along the complete length. The solidity and material qualities of these profiled sections are selected in accordance with the load.

[0022] The roller guides are arranged offset, so that damage caused by forklift devices during the loading operation can be prevented.

[0023] The doors are hung from adjustable balance arms on the rails and are locked with the aid of locking devices (power braces) in a similar manner as the rear wall door. The manual levers for the locks contain double safety latches. This measure resulted from experience gathered by the Federal Railroad during the transport of containers with side-wall doors. The container has an extended gooseneck tunnel, which meets the requirements for a sensible configuration of a Euro chassis.

[0024] The corner fittings on the front wall are beveled on the top and on the bottom. The comer supports are given a similar shape.

[0025] Beveled comer fittings for 45′ containers are known and are installed during the manufacture of 45′ containers.

[0026] As a result of the beveled corner fittings on the 45′ container, it is possible to meet the legal requirements for the “Euro articulated vehicle.” The frontal hole on the comer fitting is moved toward the inside as a result of the beveling of the comer fittings.

[0027] Consequently, the option of securing a 40′ container or a 45′ container to a combination chassis by inserting a twistlock no longer exists. The transverse support and the locking device are positioned outside of the turning radius.

[0028] The folding-wall container according to the invention is provided on the front, next to the gooseneck tunnel, with openings for inserting the twistlocks (horizontal locks). With this solution, transverse support and lock remain inside the permissible turning radius.

[0029] The invention is explained in the following with the aid of examples and the drawing.

[0030]FIG. 1 Shows the lower region of a rail holder for a container according to the invention, in the closed state.

[0031]FIG. 2 Shows the lower region of a rail holder for a container according to the invention, in the opened state.

[0032]FIG. 3 Shows the upper region of a rail holder for a container according to the invention, in the closed state.

[0033]FIG. 4 Shows the upper region of a rail holder for a container according to the invention, in the opened state.

[0034]FIGS. 1 and 2 show the lower region of a container according to the invention, that is to say the lower longitudinal profile with a slide rail arrangement 12. Rollers that are connected to a hinged joint 11 move inside the slide rail. The hinged joint, in turn, is fastened to a rail 10 in the lower region.

[0035]FIGS. 3 and 4 show the upper region of the holder for rail 10, that is to say the upper roof frame with a slide rail arrangement 22, which is connected in the upper region via a joint 21 to the rail 10.

[0036]FIGS. 1 and 3 demonstrate the closed state. It is apparent that in the closed state, the rail 10 assumes a fixed, immovable position on the side surface of the container. The contacting parts 30 in this position act upon each other in such a way that a longitudinal displacement (perpendicular to the paper plane) of rail 10 is not possible.

[0037] In FIGS. 2 and 4, the rail 10 is pivoted toward the outside in the lower region, so that the contacting parts 30 are separated and the rail 10 can be displaced in movement direction. 

1. Folding-wall container (exchangeable container) with side walls that can be opened, as well as frontal openings for locking devices, characterized in that the container is provided on one side or both sides with side walls that can be opened over the complete length, for which the door panels can be folded and can be moved with their holders over the complete length.
 2. Folding-wall container (EC) according to claim 1, characterized in that the side openings are divided by movable rails.
 3. Folding-wall container (EC) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the rails on the top and bottom are positioned such that they can be moved and can be fixedly secured in their base position above the grappling edges.
 4. Folding-wall container (EC) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the folding door pairs are fitted against the rail and can be moved along with the rail.
 5. Folding-wall container (EC) according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the doors are fastened to the rails and the corner structures by means of a balance profile and that the doors are adjusted and secured at the top and bottom with the aid of threaded bolts.
 6. Folding-wall container (EC) according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the front wall structures have a graduated corner profile and that this graduation is continued on the corner fittings for the top and the bottom.
 7. Folding-wall container (EC) according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the front wall is provided with openings next to the gooseneck tunnel, into which the twistlocks for the frontal locking devices on the container chassis engage, so as to provide a secure lock.
 8. Folding-wall container (EC) according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the vehicle for holding the container (EC) is provided on the front, in the region of the turning radius, with horizontally arranged twistlock devices, which engage in the openings on the container (EC), thereby providing a frontal connection between the container (EC) and the vehicle.
 9. Folding-wall container (EC) according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the folding doors of the container (EC) are connected with embedded hinges and that the locking rods form the hinge pivot.
 10. Folding-wall container (exchangeable container) with a side wall that can be opened, as well as frontal openings for locking devices, characterized in that the container is provided on one side or both sides with side walls that can be opened over the complete length, for which the folding door sections can be folded and can be displaced with their holders over the complete length and that two additional twistlock openings are provided on the front. 